Title Letters from France : the private diplomatic correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, 1776-1785 / edited and annotated by Brett F. Woods

Published New York : Algora Pub., ©2006

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Description 1 online resource (xii, 223 pages) Contents pt. 1. Arrival in France to Lord North's April 1782 private entreatment -- pt. 2. Franklin's private journal of correspondence (annotated) -- pt. 3. Ministerial dialogue and the pursuit of detail Summary This selection of letters is an important contribution to the body of literature exploring French support to the American Revolution, and perhaps more importantly, provides an additional glimpse into the character and thought processes of Franklin, the diplomat. All other achievements aside, in his eight years in France Benjamin Franklin emerges as an extraordinary individual, distinguished as much as a philosopher as a statesman. Whether he is writing to peers such as John Adams and John Jay, to French officials such as the Marquis de la Fayette and Count de Vergennes, or even to long-time British friends such as David Hartley, Member of Parliament from Hull, and William Petty, the second Earl of Shelburne, Franklin always reveals much, if not quite all, of himself. And whether the subject might be prisoners of war and privateers, or rules of engagement and reconciliation with England, he writes with remarkable clarity, insight and, on occasion, humor: the portrait of a thoughtful man following a challenging course through uncertain times. The source material for this compilation is the 1817 text, The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin. Where necessary, the editor has provided explanatory notes to assist the reader in placing the correspondence in its particular historical, political or conceptual context. While there are a number of general texts that, to greater or lesser degrees, deal with this period of Franklins life Brands (2000), Srodes (2002) and Morgan (2002), among others and these in addition to Schiff's 2005 release: A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America which deals specifically with the timeframe none offer any comprehensive inclusion of source material. To address this void in the literature, Woods embraces the subject, as the subtitle suggests, from a strictly documentary perspective. Thus, this text is both an original reference resource and a supplement to the existing literature. It presents, in its entirety, the original written correspondence which previous authors, in many cases, cite as the basis for their interpretation of events or conclusions of fact Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-219) and index Notes English Print version record Subject Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 -- Correspondence SUBJECT Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 fast Subject Statesmen -- United States -- Correspondence Diplomats -- United States -- Correspondence HISTORY. Diplomatic relations Diplomats Statesmen SUBJECT United States -- Foreign relations -- France -- Sources France -- Foreign relations -- United States -- Sources United States -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain -- Sources Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- United States -- Sources United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783 -- Sources Subject France Great Britain United States Genre/Form Personal correspondence Sources Form Electronic book Author Woods, Brett F. ISBN 9780875864907 0875864902 1281398144 9781281398147 9786611398149 6611398147

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